Redefining the role(s) of endothelial αvβ3-integrin in angiogenesis

For nearly two decades now, the RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp)-binding αvβ3-integrin has been a focus of anti-angiogenic drug design. These inhibitors are well-tolerated, but have shown only limited success in patients. Over the years, studies in β3-integrin-knockout mice have shed some light on possible explanations for disappointing clinical outcomes. However, studying angiogenesis in β3-integrin-knockout mice is a blunt tool to investigate β3-integrin's...